Tag: End Times

Categories
Reflections and Poetry

At This Time

At this time…

The Earth is straining

The Nations striving

Existence without You

Burning consequences of unexpected pain.

Tears shed, the strain so trying

Crying to you

Crying for Your loss:

At every independent heart

Rejecting You, rebuking,

Spilling hatred to all who truly love.

The Earth strains

The Heart breaks

The Lord blushes

At our shame.

What is to come:

I shudder, I quake

Echoing the prophecy

Of humanity’s self destruction

Salvation for all who choose —

Far too few choose.

And I sigh at the truth of it

At this time.

Categories
Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ

Powerless or Full of His Power?

“In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame.” (Psalm 71:1)

Do you feel powerless or full of His power?

Goodness of God song link

Power of Intimacy

I sit in the dark at 5am and wonder, where are we headed in this nation?

We have a new prime minister in the United Kingdom who has not been elected (except by his constituents as a local member of parliament). 

We had a new prime minister for 45 days. Then she was booted out by her own party for daring to believe Britain could grow the economy and prosper now.

We had a Conservative prime minister who was voted in by a huge majority including by usually Labour voters amongst the enthusiastic throng, for a cause that was stuck in government because the party in power hated the idea that the nation voted to separate from the European Union. 

I could list the demise of democratic Britain but that would be negative. 

What we have is a somewhat quiet coup of elite parliamentarians against their own party, an opposition who is lacking in acuity, and behind the scenes the wealthy and powerful who are lining their pockets with the mad ideas from the fearful who believe the end is nigh because of climate change.

The end may be nigh, but we don’t know the season nor the time, and it certainly has nothing to do with the natural fluctuations in climate.

The whole scenario — and I’ve only touched on some of the factors — reads like a sci fi novel. We live in a liberal democracy but are ruled by an appointed leader, who doesn’t even have the freedom to lead but is pulled around like a ringed bull, doing what he’s told about the climate change agenda, the economy, and who knows what else!

If the Prime Minister hasn’t any power, then is it any wonder if we, the people, feel powerless. 

I voted Conservative, I voted for Brexit. I won. And I feel powerless. Pity those who voted the other way… It doesn’t really matter now does it? We voted but we got it wrong so powers that be are doing their level best to counter the vote: first regarding Brexit, now about policy and even the Leader.

I sit and I stare and I wonder. Do others say to our Creator,  “Father, we don’t have any more prayers right now. We just want to talk to you… and we aren’t even sure what to say.”

He’s listening. He knows. He cares. And He values our prayers. Our voice matters to Him. “Thank you LORD!” Because certainly, our voice doesn’t seem to matter to many politicians.

Who holds the Power?

We don’t know man’s time table, we don’t know the unoriginal Satan’s time table (New Ten Commandments). But we can see the signs of the enemy and it seems a New Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai are about to be proclaimed. It infuriates me. What can I do? Rejoice in the LORD! We who keep our eyes on Jesus, not the storm, will overcome…. Because GOD is in charge.

“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—“ (Revelations 2:26)

Categories
Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ

Salvation time just got shorter…

I have been writing Preparing the Bride for some time, being called as a watchman (Ezekiel 33), to prepare us for Jesus’ return. Whether it will come in 2 days, 2 years, or 2 centuries, He asks us to be ready (Matthew 25). Well, salvation time just got shorter according to a message from Radiant Israel that really resonates with me….

Here is what was posted today by Messianic believer Gilad Rosinger:

https://www.radiantisrael.com/so/88OAxfrGO?languageTag=en#/main

I follow a few people on Telegram, people who are followers of Jesus, people who’s voice resonates with my heart for Jesus, for His followers, and these testing times we are in worldwide.

The message is clear: Salvation time just got shorter… time is up! Get into the boat with the LORD or beware the consequences of a lost world…

May you and yours know the fullness of surrender and be strong in the LORD now.

Shalom, shalom. He will give you rest (Hebrews 4).

As you comfort yourself, and allow the Holy Spirit, The Comforter to comfort you, settle into these words from John 15,

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

I pray as you prepare, that you “trust in the LORD with all your heart.” (Proverbs 3:5) and you will find rest for your soul.

Categories
Reflections and Poetry

When will I go home? – a poem

When will I go home?

“Abide with me”

my friend said.

And so

long days and evenings 

I did spend with Him.

“I can do all things”

he wrote.

And so I believed

and have lived.

“Do not be dismayed”

he said.

And so

I walk in strength.

“I go to prepare a place”

For me?

he said.

And I wait.

‘Live more abundantly’

He promised.

I am

though not how I expect.

Abide, 

All things, 

No dismay, 

Abundant life:

I await my Kingdom home

away from home

with others like me.

And Him.

Categories
Reflections and Poetry

An End of things as they’ve been: a short poem

Time is marching

Clock is ticking

UK dying

Need for grace.

*The author suggests that a read of the short prophetic book of Habakkuk is timely.*

Categories
Reflections and Poetry

Believer, let not your mind get lazy: a self reflection

Believers, let us not allow our minds to get lazy

I have been recognising that I am slowing down a bit. I’m not as vigorous as I used to be. That includes both my physicality and my mentally as well. Spiritually, I praise GOD because I seem to continue to grow!

There’s nothing wrong with my health or my age. I just don’t have the quickness of movement I used to have, and perhaps even my thinking is slowing down.

I’m sure the quickness and stiffness in my body has to do with getting older…. Although I’m thinner than I used to be and within the boundaries of ideal weight, and although according to medical science I’m healthy, I am aging; so physically, I’m less flexible and less quick than I was a few years ago. I exercise most days to try to keep age at bay.

As for my mind though, I don’t think the reduction of vitality is age (or at least not entirely), but rather, I think my mind will be as fit and healthy as I choose it to be, based upon the choices I make every day. Just as what I eat and what I do keeps me physically healthy (or not!), so too what I feed my mind, and how I use it will determine significantly how dexterous my thinking remains.

What isn’t good for me

I have learned too much tv or internet is not good for me. It deadens my acuity. I’ve written about that before. I can choose to watch a movie or read a book; I can choose to surf the next or not! But also, what I watch will either stimulate or deter my mental clarity and agility. This is the nub of what I want to write about today…

Proverbs 22: 24-25 says,

“Make no friendship with an angry man,

And with a furious man do not go,

Lest you learn his ways

And set a snare for your soul.”

On the surface, this proverb speaks of associations and friendships, but it can also mean influences. Today, we can influence people in the millions without ever meeting them, simply through what we post on the internet.

So too, we can be influenced by people we never meet in person. Do we know the character of the people we watch on YouTube, for example? We don’t know their personality, unless we know them personally. We only know what we see from our screens. And yet, many of these people act as pastors in our lives, or philosophers, or are our source of news and information. 

Gauging the Character of those whom we watch

If a person is raging — either in temper or accusation — he or she is angry, unsettled, or in slang, “mad”. And why do we call it mad? Because ‘emotion is hot, and reason is not’:)

Irrespective of how a person portrays himself or herself on social media or the in news media, they may — and probably do — have an agenda behind their postings. If the person is angry, is it righteous anger driving them, or self-righteous anger?

Anger: righteousness or self-righteousness

Righteousness can only come from GOD. When Jesus overturned the tables in the temple, he was very angry. But out of that anger, he said clearly and simply,

“… It is written, ‘My house is a ‘house of prayer’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” (Luke 19:46)

If we follow writers or speakers who are angry at government or science or the rich- and-powerful, why are we following them? What they say may be accurate, but what is their attraction and what is their effect upon us: on our minds, on our relationship with GOD and with our sharing of the Gospel, and with our brothers and sisters who may not agree?

The litmus test is simple

If, from what we are digesting, we are not growing closer to GOD and to loving Him and others more, then what we are digesting is not of GOD.

Making healthy choices

How much non-spiritual food do you want to digest?  A little bit of chocolate is not unhealthy physically, but how much proportion of chocolate do you put in your daily diet? Likewise, a little bit of news can be interesting and can even inform for our prayers. But how much “bad news” is healthy to digest or even desirable?

To my mind, as Paul suggests in Philippians 4:8, I will aim primarily to choose, “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

These are righteous choices, these are healthy choices, these are wise choices to make.

Be aware

I write Preparing the Bride because, as a watchman, my call is to observe and notify. What I observe is that a whole lot of people in the body of Christ are getting seriously distracted, and sometimes even disturbed by evil plots and conspiracies of the powerful elite. 

If this time spent upon such matters is not growing us toward Yeshua our Saviour, then it is time badly spent.

If these powerful elite are evil, are we praying for their souls? If they are of the devil, why are we giving them time? “Resist the devil and he will flee.” (James 4:&) Often I don’t observe people resisting, but rather dwelling upon the evil, sharing it — which is gossip — and being antagonised by or fascinated with it.

Evil exists, but I don’t choose to hang around it

Someone may respond to my provoking this subject by saying, “But we must pray against it.” Yes, and we must also pray for our leaders.

The devil is fascinating, the devil is deceptive, the devil will do anything to entice us away from Jesus. 

How close are we to our Saviour and how far from the devil in these days? How ready and prepared are we as the Bride? At the end of these days, that is what matters.

Bless the reader and know my heart is simply: to love Yehovah GOD, the Creator of the universe, and to make Him known.

Shalom, Shalom.

Categories
Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ

End Times preparation: illnesses, passing – and our enduring faith

A prayer

Dear LORD,

“You are our Father, our Yehovah, our GOD in heaven. We thank you for the lives of those whom we have loved that have gone before us to be with You. We trust Your timing, Your will — be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

When my husband died after thousands of saints praying and believing GOD for his healing, I knew that GOD was sovereign and He had given me the ability to cope. 

When a friend had an accident and was put into hospital, I prayed and so far all is well, though recovery is slow.

When an elderly lady in my home group went to bed on Thursday evening and on Friday did not wake up, I could see the hand of GOD giving her lasting peace without any suffering, lengthy illness, or pain.

GOD gives life and He restores life to Himself.

Nihilism

We live in society where many people think life is meaningless. Many believe we are powerless, and GOD is dead — if He ever existed at all.

This is hopelessness at its peak. We see this lie transform the hearts of innocent, inspired children into despairing, depressed, lonely young adults. What a transformation! And for what? To attempt to prove life is meaningless by removing the purpose of our lives, the core of our meaning from the thoughts of the young, and lead them instead to believe in nothing, to hope in nothing, to die sick and empty and bereft. From where I sit, this proves GOD and the consequences of a denial of Him.

The Bible says, “hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:6a) and “our hope…. is the LORD”. (1 Thessalonians 2:19)

The passing of saints

When I experience loss, I recognise the one who has passed is now with the LORD of his/her life. For those who pass who did not know Him, yes, it is grievous. But it is not so for those who have gone to be with Jesus.

We grieve their loss, but we must recognise the reality of our faith and theirs: that they have gone to be the Good Shepherd and they have joy forever. One day we will join them. That is the source of hope and joy.

Crutch

The atheist may say we who believe have a crutch. Perhaps so. But what does that matter? The truth is, we have joy and they do not. Joy is our source, joy is our crutch, joy is the result of our hope. Our lives now and in the hereafter are full. 

The atheist may say we live a lie. But we live by faith. And that faith offers joy in all circumstances and heaven beyond this life. It is substantiated by the Word of GOD and by our life experiences.

The atheist may say there is no future beyond this life. We say there is. We say there is both heaven and hell: we each can choose where we want to go. 

The truth may be that we do have a crutch. But that crutch is there for us and it is built on truth. The life of a Jesus follower is tough, and we need a crutch sometimes, just to endure the pain. But I think it is a different pain and a different challenge to that of the atheist. The atheist may think he’s stronger than we are, for believing in nothing and carrying on. But the challenges of living our faith, whether in the relative freedom of Western society or in a society where freedom of religion does not exist, are far greater, because our faith is tested daily. It is also repeatedly rewarded, which is something that enables us to keep going. But at the end of the day, we revert to the cross: the truth that Jesus died for us and if we believe and trust in Him, we shall be saved.

Enduring trust

Times are coming thick and fast, times of our shaking, our testing, our pruning. A study of Matthew 24 highlights the challenges those in the “last days” will face, and I believe we are in the last days.

What I am particularly aware of is the passing of other believers: sudden illnesses, sudden accidents, suddenly-s! GOD is allowing this for our strengthening. Some will pass away, and this is for the pruning of those who remain. This pruning is necessary for we do not know our total mission on earth and we do not know our mission in heaven.

Hold fast, folks; “…but you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.” (Joshua 23:8) Hold fast. And we will see the salvation of our GOD (Exodus 14:13)

Categories
Politics and Society today

Reaching out – Looking in: 7 choosing grace over sensationalism

Reaching Out – Looking In

Reaching Out – Looking In is a new diary journal which speaks my inner thoughts as I walk my walk in a society that is rapidly imploding. Will the church: the body of believers — will it implode or move through to where Jesus prescribes we are to be as part of His Church?

Some years ago (@2012 link), I began and wrote a weekly journal An Examined Life based on Socrates’ adage, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I continued for a few years, and a few years after I’d stopped, I had the idea to revive it (@2020 link), but failed. 

Now in a new frame, I’m beginning again, this time not to copy the original idea but to take it and suit it to today in my walk with Jesus.

Reaching Out weekly

I’ll aim to have an insert every week, which I also plan to share in my weekly newsletter, Preparing the Bride for what better preparation than to walk together, with Jesus, through these times until this walk on earth is finished…

Hallelujah! Maranatha: Come Lord Jesus! And in the meanwhile, come one and all to the place of the heart, where Jesus abides with us and we abide with Him (John 15).

What’s on my mind this week: Sensationalism

COMMENTARY: Choosing grace over sensationalism

“My grace is sufficient for you” (1 Corinthians 12:9a)

I long for His grace to permeate my soul and the soul of every Believer.

Concern about sensationalism

The more I see negative information plastered all over social media and the more I watch tv news (msn and alternative), the more I’m aware of the sensationalism rife over the audio/visual waves.

As though war was not extreme enough, it seems some people cannot resist stating opinions as fact (Am I doing that now?), and raising the fear game to such a degree that families and dear friends are arguing over what is true and what is not.

Whew! I just want peace, don’t you? Shalom. Yes, worldwide literal peace of course. But the peace within, which passes all understanding: GOD’s peace.

Some caught up in innuendo and false accusation

There are some in this world who seek to control, to diminish freedom, and take life itself. Are we praying for them?

What concerns me about people who watch and study the evil that some dark areas of humanity are engaged in: to terminate our freedoms and even our lives, to control-control-control, is that those focusing on this evil may actually be enamoured with the strategies and movements of the enemy, or worse, are hating man rather than the principalities and powers behind the thoughts and actions of man. This I determine, is not the way to walk. In fact, it seems to be a distraction from our call to minister the Gospel and the truth of Yeshua.

How much time is spent in looking at the dark web or main stream media and condemning in our hearts the possible motives or actions of others?

Some watchmen will have a call to sound the alarm against such evil. But are all sharing these things actually posting the alarm to the lost, or only watching? Are some in fact savouring? For in the end, this is gossip: true or false, it is still gossip.

“A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.” (Proverbs 16:28)

Fight the good fight

So I am saddened that many believers seem to be diverted. Some may have a call to warn and protect, but are mixed up in with the world’s counter-agenda: to fight against flesh and blood, to expose the evil of the elite, to hearken to the fleshly attacks, and to get embroiled in a fight that is not theirs to fight. Are we praying against the evil one and are we praying for those under him? I hope more prayer is happening than what I surmise.

It saddens me. It angers me at Satan, and saddens me for my fellow Believers. This fight against the machinations of the darker side of humanity is not my fight.

Ephesians 6:10-18 states, 

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—“

What is my call?

Where do each of us fit into this scenario? Where do you? Where to I? Let us ensure we are watchmen on the walls GOD has given us to watch, without judging (myself included) the walls over which others are called to watch.

Categories
Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ

Prepare – Prepare – Prepare!

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

I keep having dreams the bottom line message being “Prepare”.

I am not one for prophetic dreams. There was a phase of several years where I did not remember my dreams at all! Before that, I used to dream stories, some of which have become short stories and books (some published, some on the shelf). But over the last couple of years, I’ve tended to dream messages which tell me to ‘be prepared’ — for a worsening scenario on the society scope.

John the Baptist said, “Prepare ye the way of the LORD”. 

I am dreaming, Prepare dreams: preparing landscape, preparing buildings, preparing farmland, preparing young women by encouraging character growth… I’m preparing for something….. 

Yet, this morning I awoke and thought to write this post.

How short is our time?

When is Jesus to return? 

About 18 months ago, the LORD spoke to my heart and said simply, “Jesus is returning soon”. Well, we know from scripture that GOD’s quickly and ours is not the same sort of time line. McDonald’s fast food ‘soon’ and the Father’s ‘soon’ are worlds apart.

In Revelations 3:11 Jesus says, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”

Preparing the Bride

I write “Preparing the Bride” in an effort to offer depth and breadth of Biblical understanding to encourage us all to grow in the LORD, to deepen our faith, trust, responsibility, readiness for the return of our Lord.

The wise and foolish virgins

Have a look at Matthew 25:1-13. I highlight the following, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [b]in which the Son of Man is coming.”

This familiar parable is for all of us to remember along with “… I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23) to remind us, to ensure we are wise and ready. The oil in the lamps is compared to the oil of the Holy Spirit, the surrender of our souls, to willingness to follow. 

Elisha did not leave Elijah but clung to his presence, not wanting to miss his teacher’s departing. Elisha did not miss that moment when Elijah was taken up as recorded in 2 Kings 2 and was rewarded a double portion of anointing in his own life as a prophet.

Likewise, we do not want to miss what the LORD has for us: here on earth and in heaven. So let us continue to be ready, to be prepared for Jesus’ return, not dwelling on the riches of this world nor rewards here on earth, but on the eternal presence and eternal rewards — such as the crown of life (James 1:12, Revelation 2:10)

Wearing our love and our armour

Today we who are In Christ must wear our love and our armour….. for we wrestle not against flesh but against powers and principalities. May I encourage us to do deeper study of 1John 3:16-24, 1 Corinthians 13:4-12 and Ephesians 6:10-20, to develop a clearer, deeper, fuller understanding of how we may love the LORD our GOD with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbour as ourselves… even our enemies.

May the word of Yeshua Jesus dwell in us richly! (Colossians 3:16)

Added bonus

When we are in heaven, taken up as in a rapture, or when the LORD takes us in death — I know not which — let us be all He has created us to be, to the best that our surrender, love, joy, compassion and peace will enable us to be. And then we will have “no more tears”, perhaps even to meet our previous-departed loved ones, and many of the saints that have gone before us, including the prophets of old and of course, Yeshua / Jesus himself.

Hallelujah!

Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.

Categories
Politics and Society today

The Gospel Message: Church needs to change – part 15

War!

If there’s any good thing about a war it is this: It puts everything into perspective.

When you see refugees fleeing for their lives from war-torn Ukraine, or previously from Afghanistan or Syria before that, you see they have nothing but the clothes on their backs or perhaps a small backpack or suitcase. Possessions lose their importance.

What is the most important thing about our walk with the LORD?

That’s easy: What did Jesus say we are called to do? 

“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

In this final piece for “the Church needs to Change” series, I’d like to encourage those who are saved by GOD’s grace through His son Yeshua / Jesus. What matters most to those of us who are saved? It is that Jesus, the son of GOD, died for our sins and sets those of us who believe in him free for eternity, to be spent with him rather than in the pit of hell without him.


If that isn’t what’s most important, perhaps you the reader need to consider again.

Today’s message from the Church must be…

… the true Gospel of Jesus.

How much does the church preach this? How much does it need to preach it? How much does the fellowship need to emulate the love and forgiveness of Jesus before he returns as judge?

And yes, according to the word of GOD, we know that Jesus came as saviour and when he returns it will be as judge.

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom” (2Timothy 4:1)

If you personally comb through the book of Revelation as I have, you will see that Jesus separates the sheep from the goats; it is Jesus who judges the earth.

Therefore, while we have time and opportunity…

So in season and out of season, we must listen to GOD’s heart within us, and to others around us, to see what seeds we can drop into their hearts. Time is short, and while GOD’s “quickly” may be much slower than ours, we do not know the day nor the hour. We can assume the time for judgement is only getting closer….

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)

There are a lot of end-time signs that we best not ignore. Read Ezekiel 38/39, Matthew 24, Revelation to begin to acquaint yourself with how the Bible reveals to those who search, what is to precede his coming. A lot has already occurred or is occurring even as I write. The prophecies are not all fulfilled and there is more to come. 

Nevertheless, Jesus said,

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” (Revelation 22:7)

And we know we can trust his word.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us be as family. Let us uphold the word, and let us be loving and bold in preaching GOD’s word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Categories
Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ

There is no more time

Earnest Prayer

As I prayed with a sister in the Lord recently, I heard her ask GOD for more time to reach out to unbelievers. I agreed with her heart for the lost. But when it came my turn to pray I said, “LORD, I don’t mean to contradict my sister, but there is no more time. We need to act now, we need to be ready now, we need to speak as led, now.

There is no more time

With the US president threatening — or is he baiting — the Russian leader Putin, there is no more time to hope for de-escalation. 

With global extremists challenging gender biology, sexual identity, rights and freedoms, global diet and use of carbon fuels… aka anarchy in its many shapes and forms, there is no more time to ponder our rights and freedoms as individual Christians. I believe we need to be ready, willing and able to surrender all our human rights to our GOD who is able to defend us, protect us, and use us in meaningful ways.

Time is up

We need to know the word of GOD. We need to love one another as He has loved us. We need to love our neighbours — friends and enemies alike. We need to be fully available and fully surrendered. We need to have our oil lamps full (Matthew 25), and we need to be dressed for spiritual battle. There is no more time to prepare.

Nehemiah

There was a time when Nehemiah and Ezra had returned from exile, were back in Jerusalem, rebuilding the temple with the people of Yehovah GOD. Builders worked on the wall; but with a free hand they held their swords. (Nehemiah 4:15-18)

There are Seasons

There is a time of war and a time of peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:8b) I believe our time as we know it is up! What does that mean? 

What does life now look like? “I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.” (Psalm 120:7) What does this mean?

All I know is…

We must be ready. We have no more time to consider. We have no more time to speculate. We have no more time to ponder. That luxury is gone. Simply, we must be ready: be ready to share the gospel, be ready to defend truth, be ready to stand in faith, be ready for whatever is coming.

Pregnancy

One day we know that, “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, The lion shall eat straw like the ox, And dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” Says the Lord.” (Isaiah 65:25) But that day would seem to be afar off. First other things must come to pass, things which are less pleasant. 

We are in the birth pangs (Matthew 24). War is on the horizon, a spiritual war which may or may not manifest in the natural, but war is coming.

We must be ready. We have no more time to be shy or ashamed. We must be bold and resolute. “Thy kingdom come, O LORD. Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. And let me be ready LORD, to go as you call me.

“In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Categories
Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ

What is Truth: Church, Experience & the Bible

What is Truth?

“I am the way, the truth, the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

How many people believe in Jesus but ignore this statement which he made?

Most recently, I nearly had an altercation with someone dear to me who is a committed follower… of the Church. He believes in Jesus, and values religion. The Church, for him, holds the keys to his faith (if I understand him correctly).

Imperfect Church / Perfect Word

Where the Church does not bring people to a personal relationship with Jesus, the Church has failed. We who follow Jesus must have fellowship with one another and this fellowship is the church. But a problem arises if a denomination or a particular fellowship is prioritised above Jesus. If that happens, and it so often can, it reveals that we have lost the purpose behind the concept of the church and have lost sight of the chief cornerstone: Jesus.

Purposes of the church are to keep us accountable to one another, to fellowship as family, and to lift up GOD in corporate worship. But what do we do if we are confused or troubled or simply make a mistake?

How we keep on course

The rudder which keeps us on a true course is the Word of GOD: the Bible. The Bible encapsulates Jesus: who was, in the beginning, the Word “who became flesh.” (John 1:1, 14)

Everything we do, all we are and believe, points to Jesus. If not, we have missed the point!

Knowing the Word keeps us from error, or helps us toward correction when we make a mistake.

We must not compromise

“The word of GOD is living and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. .”(Hebrews 4: 11-12)

How reliable is experience?

All of us who have become born again have a testimony. This testimony is our authentic experience of discovering GOD, our developing our relationship with Him. It is true and powerful because it is uniquely ours and cannot be refuted. BUT as an experience, it is still not as reliable as the Word. And should anything in our walk with GOD or our experience of Him contradict scripture, it is possible we have been deceived. GOD does not change. He will not contradict His Word. The Word is our rudder.

The Bible is not only our rudder but also our anchor

We who are born again (John 3:3) grow through fellowship in the church, through prayer and praise, through our experiences and relationship to GOD, and through knowing His Word. 

It is the Word which keeps us from stumbling, keeps us on course, and ensures we have a firm foundation. These sayings are merely cliches unless we are rooted and grounded in Jesus, who is the Word made flesh.

What is Truth? 

Jesus is Truth.

Bless your reading and study of scripture. It will never fail you.

Shalom and GOD bless.

Categories
Politics and Society today

Pray before you Post, Be Meek before you Speak

by Rev Dr Hugh Alexander Jackman

Pray before you Post, Be meek before you speak.

On behalf of Spirit and Life Ministries, I would like to make a brief statement which I hope will bring a sense of calm and balance to those members of the  body of Christ who may hear it from me. I know this may make me less popular with some of you, I wish it were not so, but this is unimportant to me, since I do not seek popularity or fame. 

I believe the devil is seeking to divide the body of Christ over the issue of Coronavirus vaccinations. Almost every day, rather than becoming offended, I am sending private messages to friends and loved ones who have taken a stance or publicly shared something on this issue, which would be offensive to other believers in Christ. 

We have to face a stark reality – Some Christians have taken the vaccine whilst others have not. 

Whilst I support my brothers or sisters in whichever decision they choose to make, I am increasingly concerned about those who insist on taking the moral or spiritual high ground because of their particular stance. 

If you are unvaccinated, you do so by faith, choosing to trust God and not medicine. Perhaps you are to be commended in this, but no more so than the believer who after prayer, and also by Faith, chooses to be vaccinated without fear of any any earthly consequences. 

To me, spiritually speaking, both positions are worthy of some applause. However, I find nothing in the Bible to suggest that one stance makes you more blessed than the other. No matter how you may feel about the situation my appeal to you today is to

Pray before you post. Be meek before you speak.

If we continue to allow the devil to divide us, our Gospel will find itself lost in a world of controversy and confusion.

So again my appeal is, Pray before you post. Be meek before you speak.

Do not insult your brothers and sisters in Christ bringing them into offence with you by implying that they are unspiritual or immature simply because their stance is different to yours. They and you are equally washed in the blood of Jesus. There is no partiality with God.

I believe as the body of Christ, in many cases, we are the only light that this world will see. If they don’t see God in us, particularly in our unity, perhaps they will not see him anywhere.

Christians, please do not share videos and messages from unqualified and unbiblical  sources. This is very dangerous because in most cases,  it only leads to further confusion and division. Remember your friends, family and loved ones are looking to you for truth. In this regard, You owe them the Gospel, nothing else. 

Apostle Paul wrote

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV) 10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Again, in Ephesians 4:1-6 (KJV) He writes, I  beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

From Heavens perspective – Your stance regarding this issue is largely unimportant. It has no bearing upon your salvation in this world or in the world to come. It does not gain you any higher position than anyone else so for goodness sake, let it go.

My brothers and sisters we are living in the last of the last days and as such we know that the devil will seek to divide us. Jesus said, a house divided will not be able to stand. So do not let him succeed. Stop trying to take the high ground on your position at the detriment of another, but rather give thanks to God for His grace in our lives. 

Pray and thank God for your life, and for the life of all of your loved ones today. Pray in unity for the governments of the land where you live, wherever you are, to come into alignment with God’s perfect will for this world. 

Again I appeal to you, Pray before you post. Be Meek before you Speak

Thank you for taking the time to listen to and share this message. I would like to end with the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.

From Mark 7:15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”

God Bless you 

In Peace and in love.

Categories
Politics and Society today Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ

Biological Bombshell

Reflections on Current Events: A possibility and what to do with it

Sitting still one afternoon this week, I just stopped everything for a couple of hours. And what was the result?

My mind began to do some simple addition.

I’m not saying I was or was not “in the Spirit”. I’m not going to ask anyone to agree or to disagree with me. I’m just taking stock of where the world is at the moment and something has begun to dawn on me… 

This particular afternoon, I had just listened to 30 minutes with Amir Tsarfati on TV7’s Times Observer (Teach us to Number our Days and Redeem the Time) discussing the geopolitical alliances that are being drawn up around the world which match Biblical prophecy. A few days’ previously, I’d heard a report given by David E Martin on the Data Science Association broadcast, stating in America that Covid patents and their vaccines were applied for as early as 2003 and continuously through the 2010’s. How could that be, when Covid-19 only first appeared on the scene in late 2019 in China?

What I’m about to suggest is not an attack on UK government.

My own view is that most governments are trying to protect people and are doing their best to deal with this virus. I believe that of my own government here in the UK. And contrary to the media hype which likes to pull down any and all government decision and action for their failure to be perfect, I think the motive behind an action is far more significant than any particular action or its relative success. So I am at relative peace with my own government, believing that whilst they may not be telling us the whole truth, they are attempting to protect us and our health.

But, in amidst this “climate of quiet” a light has dawned…

Before I made any decision whether I believed this brightening light of an idea, I messaged a dear friend, well-read on matters Covid, and aligned with me in the love of the LORD and the importance of Israel in these Last Days. She concurred with my thoughts, for the LORD has been revealing similar to her over a period of time, which for her began with dreams in 2017…. 

What is afoot?

I suspect and might now go as far as to conclude that we are engaged in biological warfare. I would purport to support this view further and suggest that Sars and Covid 19 were not accidents in nature, but deliberate attacks on foreign nations, respectively from the US to attack China and China to respond upon the Western world in particular. And I suspect the governments are all acutely aware of the situation.

In the natural, this is mere suspicion and I cannot prove it. I am not stating this as a conclusion or fact. Rather, I think it is simply the new reality we live in: nations are under attack and this chief method of attack is biological.

How I draw my conclusions

As I said above, I was taking time to reflect, and this is what came from the depth of my mind. Is it from GOD? I do not know. I think it is sound and it does not contradict scripture. Matthew 24 mentions plagues in the last days. How the plagues arise is not explained. We can assume it is disease, but there is nothing to prevent the possibility that it arises through “germ warfare”.

What do I do with this?

As or if the LORD leads me to do more than write here about it, so be it. It is more important what I do not do with it: I do not use it as a campaign to vent my dislike with how things are manifesting on the earth; Jesus did not imply the Last Days would be pleasant; we are called to pray for our governments and to obey the hands that lead us for GOD brings us our governments. 

I do not use it as a campaign against the government or media for keeping it secret for I suspect silence is their means to prevent full-scale panic. I do not use it to attack or despise other nation states, for “we do not war against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers….” (Ephesians 6:10 onwards) 

If anything at all, I use this as a catapult to minister to others the love and salvation of Yeshua Jesus.

“Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)

Categories
Examining Biblical Scripture

When comes the 1000 Years?

Satan Bound

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:1-2)

A close reading/re-reading of Revelation 20 gives me the notion of the following:

The 1000 year binding has already been, I believe, from  approximately 500 to 1500 AD. Since then, the devil has been free to deceive the nations.

After the Romans made Christianity the state religion, there was much that went wrong within the Church of Jesus Christ. But the nation states — of the West at least — were all kingdoms ruled by God-fearing kings.

The Reformation, which made available the Word of GOD to non-clergy, gave a freedom not experienced previously and a Truth hitherto hidden from the time of Christendom. The truth could be studied, digested, practised, no longer necessarily under the interpretation or influence of scholars in power. It was a time of revelation, enlightenment, study and truth.

Satan Loosed

But as the Word of GOD became available to the common man, so too did Satan become free to confuse and confound. 

“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.” (Revelation 20:7)

Although there has always been war, it is since 1500 that war has become more sophisticated: nation state against nation state, conflict arising across vast distances and with increased levels of violence and destruction. War culminated in World War I (the Great War to end all wars — such a major deception) and World War II (the epitome of anti-Semitism with the most sophisticated attempt to exterminate the Jews). To this day, Satan continues to confuse, divert, oppress and destroy humanity, not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

End of the Church Age

And so, I believe we are now at the end of the Church Age. Faith has dwindled.  Man is waiting, whether he knows it or not, for the final war: the fire that destroys.

“And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:9b-10)

Once Satan is cast out forevermore, a new heaven and a new earth will be instated. I consider they are not necessarily new physical places, but our heaven and earth refreshed, free of evil, and with one king in the character of Jesus. He rules and reigns, and Satan, the beast and false prophet are no more.

Judgment

“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” (Revelation 20:12)

There will be a judgment toward those who have never accepted Jesus. It will, I believe, include those who attest to know him but whom he does not recognise (Matthew 7:23). There are wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24); there are ones who have heard the Word but who’s “soil” fell on shallow or rocky ground (Mark 4:3-8). 

Reigning with Jesus

And yet, “Hallelujah,” there will be those who have already been ruling and reigning with him for a thousand years. These are they who are the first resurrection, who were once martyred for Jesus’ name and who have been raised from the dead: “Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4b)

And there are also those who’s names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, who have known Jesus but who either died naturally, not as martyrs. This is the Second Resurrection.

And what of those who are alive at the Second Coming of Jesus/Yeshua, the Messiah? I believe those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will join the host. There will be no more grief or evil in the new Age as, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

And all who live will attest to the name of the Prince of Peace. Hallelujah and Amen.

Categories
Supernatural & Prophetic

Who is ready, who is listening?

Is Anybody Listening

I’m a Christian, that is to say, I follow Jesus and believe every word in the Bible is from God. Oh, we may choose to interpret it our own way, but His intention is to give us access to His heart and His ways. If we choose to follow, we will have abundant life in this world and in the next.

Abundance

Abundant is a term that has many interpretations. The first or most obvious may be as regards financial security.

Jesus never tried to get rich, and yet, wasn’t completely poor. He did not lack but he did not have plenty. So, what is this Abundant Life he is referring to, if not an existence with wealth and comfort?

Abundance is love, and the ripple effect that love produces.

Love. Kindness. Brotherly love. Fellowship, camaraderie, mutual respect and trustworthiness are all a part of this, I believe. An abundant life is a life full of good relationships with neighbours, family and fellow believers. No one died regretting working too little but many die with the regret they did not commit enough time or focus to their relationships.

Fellowship

And with whom are we to fellowship? Who is our brother? The Jew, and fellow believers (those who believe in and follow Yeshua/Jesus), be they Jewish or Gentile, are our closest neighbours. In fact, I’m thinking scripturally-speaking, we who believe and follow Jesus — or Yeshua — are all Messianic and to label only Jewish believers as such separates what could draw us closer together.

We who know Jesus are called to love all our neighbours; I believe I am mandated to begin by encouraging the fellowship of believers, regardless of their denomination or their cultural heritage or colour, to reach out to the Jewish people. Fellowship includes GOD’s chosen people, the Jews, and then the heirs by adoption, the gentile believers. And so, once we have reached out to the Jews, we must also stretch out our hands to all those who believe irrespective of education, background or financial means.

A Shift has come

In my life a definite shift has come as regards fellowship. I believe my first call is to the Jewish people, God’s Chosen, and next to fellow believers who seek the same. Isn’t it time we truly make the Jewish people jealous for God? (Romans 11:11)

They are called to fulfil Aliya (return to their homeland of Israel) and find a deep relationship with their God: Yehovah. And it is time for them to discover Messiah has come in Yeshua – their messiah whom we call Jesus, our saviour. (Isaiah 49:6)

Who is listening

Why me?

Why has GOD called upon my husband and I, no doubt along with a merry band of others dispersed here and there among the cast of believers (some of whom I know of and have called dear friends), to have this insight into the times? Actually, we are not so few.

Examining our Hebraic Roots is quite trendy. But this goes deeper. There are some pastors in America for example, who are leaving their denominations — or in the case of AOG are being supported as they shift — to worship corporately on Saturday rather than on Sunday, Saturday being the seventh day of the week, the day the LORD rested after the creation of the World, the day He calls the Sabbath.

But the message takes time to reach the ears and hearts of Believers.

I just don’t want folks to get left behind. In these days, there are many who are comfortable in their churches, living their somewhat holy lives, enjoying fellowship with one another and the LORD.  For me, and a lot of others, church just isn’t enough anymore. GOD wants much more than the Church of previous generations. And He’s showing us what He wants.

Test His Word

Go on… Look up End Times scriptures: Matthew 24, Daniel 12, Ezekiel 38, Revelation 8-9 and onwards. Read. Devour what the LORD has told us will come to pass. We are in the midst of calamity and change. Study to show yourself approved (2 Timothy 2:15) and discover what you’re meant to be doing… now. Prepare the way for others to know our GOD. The God of the Universe, the Father of Creation, the Prince of Peace and the Wonderful Councillor. (Isaiah 9:6)

GOD isn’t doing church the way He used to. So many who love Him have long departed Sunday worship and are at home, keeping in touch with GOD but not with fellow believers. Why do you think that is? It’s simple: that is not where GOD wants us to be. He wants us grafted into His structure, His will, His way. The time for the Gentiles has finished and it’s time to draw His people back to Himself, and for them to acknowledge their Messiah has come.

Why now?

It’s been a long time coming, and in fact, it’s been here for a good while. Church doesn’t cut it for many and in fact, generations have been in large part lost to the Gospel message as shared through the established Church. Jesus — Yeshua came in the flesh to do two things:

  1. To restore the Hebrews back to their God and
  2. To offer salvation to the world.

He came for the Gentiles to provoke the Jews to jealousy. Now it is time to draw them in to the Truth.

The church has compromised itself all in the name of relevance. The message has been watered down in many cases, and downright distorted in others. The passing of many men of GOD, the latest being Billy Graham, has marked the shift too. It is time to follow where our Father is leading… back to our Jewish roots (torn from the early church only a few centuries after its birth).

History*

The people of the Way, who followed the Rabbi Yeshua, were a Jewish sect. Called Christians by those who did not believe, the name stuck and eventually they were kicked out of Synagogue and later kicked back by turning their backs on the Judaic roots and capitalising on pagan festivals, rather than GOD’s feasts.

(*There is much more available on this found in my book, Who is God for the First Nations People (see ad below))


It’s time we go back to the true history of Genesis and Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. It’s time we engage with Jewish people, Messianic Jews and the Father in the Way He created for us. Not by might nor power, not by obligation nor a heavy yoke, but by His Spirit. (Zechariah 4:6)

Challenge

Will you take on the challenge? Will you put on the Will of the Father and seek only His Kingdom? When you do, you’ll discover deeper truth and deeper relationship with Jesus, and a deeper connection to who you are in Him.

True freedom is not a heavy yoke but it isn’t doing whatever you want either

It is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit. So let’s not study and then put on our own effort in this. But rather, let’s surrender to discover not only the freedom we have in Christ, but also the joy of the LORD in being all He has created us to be.

Shalom and GOD bless.

Categories
Examining Biblical Scripture

God is waiting for the Perfect Time and the Perfect Relationship

God is watching and waiting. Who will put their heads above the parapet? Who will stand out in the crowd, shouting – via internet or otherwise – the goodness of a Creator God who shaped the universe, spoke into the non-existent atmosphere to create it, descended to earth as a lowly man simply to undo the wrongs of every other man. This was done simply to prove His undying love to a dying world, so that He would have relationship with us?

I will.

My concept of God begins with a Judeo-Christian Father figure who promised to one man that He would make him a father of many nations. That man was Abram. He became Abraham, renamed by the Creator simply because of his faith. He slipped a bit, listening to his wife and having intercourse with her handmaiden because they were to have a son and his wife, Sarai, was too old. That child, Ishmael, gave rise to the Arab nations. But that was not the son God had planned. The son who would follow his father and be a patriarch of a nation after God’s own heart was Isaac, son of old Abraham and his elderly wife Sarah. And Isaac’s son, Jacob, became the third patriarch. His name too was changed to reflect the peoples of God: Israel.

God created man and woman to relate with. He waited centuries for a man who would have the faith for relationship. He waited for three generations that would grow and grow until, at last, a nation could be born. The Hebrews descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but they had no home.

More time passed until Father God saw the man who would lead God’s people: the Hebrews, to the land promised to them through Abraham 500 years before, a land flowing with milk and honey, a land that would one day have territory, but also a name. The land was Canaan, the man to lead them there was Moses.

This Father God loved and nurtured His people, defended them against peril, both physical and human. He poured out his love and reminded them of His promises. He gave them the Promised Land. Yet, they rejected Him, time and again. They still reject Him and yet always there is a remnant of those who love and trust Him. Always there is a remnant. And though the land was given and lost, millennium on, it has been restored again. The Creator of the Universe keeps His promises.

Who is this God? He is the God of Abraham,Isaac and Jacob. He is the God of power and of promises. He has not broken one promise. But He is waiting for people to stand with Him.

Some of the Hebrew descendants had faith. Although many did not, some — such as the Apostles of Jesus — did. And still some believed. And some believe even now in the Jesus of the New Testament.

God is patient. He is also steadfast and contrary to many in the church who say God has redistributed His people, He has not really. He hasn’t replaced but added to…

God’s covenant has never changed. His promises are sure. He has loved Israel, both those who have loved Him and those who have denied Him. He grafted in Gentiles (non-Jews), not as replacements but as additions. Some have loved Him and some have rejected Him, just as with the Jews.

He continues to wait, for the right time, for Messiah to come to the Jews. One of His promises has been a Messiah. The Saviour of the World is Jesus, proclaimed by many Gentiles throughout history. He is one and the same as the Messiah of the Jews, whose Hebrew name is Yeshua.

Yeshua, Jesus, Messiah, Saviour of the World, has come and will come again. God is waiting and watching for the right time.

We guess. We wonder. We wait. But it is faith who will bring Him, and God’s choice of time.

In the meantime, the original branches and the grafted in are meant to combine in One New Man: Jew and Gentile, Believers in Yeshua, Jesus: the Son of Man and the Son of God, worshipping together, joining in one faith in the Father of the Universe, whom Jesus points us to.

Then God will surely call His son to return to the earth, to rule and to reign over all— Believer and unbeliever alike, so that the peace of God is restored at last. And the earth will flow as it was always meant to flow: full of life and love, truth and joy, hope and everlasting reign of justice, goodness and holiness.

This is a picture of our Creator: One God, lover of His creation, longing for relationship and patiently waiting for the fulfilment of His purpose: to create a universe in harmony with itself and in relationship with Him.

This is my concept of God. This is how I connect with God and seek to connect with others of His children. He never stops reaching to me, changing me, teaching me, loving me and growing me into His perfection. And so, I seek to imitate Him and His son, reaching out to others, waiting, longing, hoping for deeper, truer relationship has He has designed us to have, with Him and, I think, with each other.

Categories
Politics and Society today

Two Allies to meet again: Hope is in healthy alliances

As tension mounts over catastrophic weather and military threat, two powerful allies may meet a third time in less than a year — a step, I believe, toward supernatural sanity and world peace.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet President Donald Trump… again.

And we continue to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.

On Trump and Kim Jong-Un

A few short weeks ago, many laughed and were angered at Trump who threatened the Korean leader after he sent a missile toward the US. Reporters and anti-trumpeters accused the American president of being a twin with Kim Jong-Un. But as the leader of North Korea then set his sights on Japan, no one laughed any longer.

Trump’s declaration of “Fire and Fury” was met with sarcasm and accusation; and yet, his words were effective. The North Korean backed off from his threat against the American base in Guam.

Instead, he sent another test missile; but it was over Japan, and it was perceived as “no threat to the United States”.

Now the media is responding differently too, to this missile which flew over Japan. They aren’t talking about Trump or Kim Jong-Un. Now they are talking about Washington and Pyongyang. Why? Because it’s brings distance and detachment which these leaders and the world needs.

We continue to pray for peace.

Two Allies to meet Again

And as a positive side to the tension in the world, there is hope when two powerful people meet to strengthen their alliance. President Trump will meet with PM Benjamin Netanyahu — again — in September.

September… September… September

September is the first month of the Jewish Calendar. It is the month when there is a feast of Tabernacles, reflective of the Hebrews in Egypt erecting tents to show their faith. It is the month in which the 6 day war took place in 1967, fifty years ago. It was unprovoked by the Jews but at its end, Jerusalem was returned to them, fulfilling scripture.

This September promises to be a blockbuster in terms of God’s authority being revealed again. It is 100 years since the Balfour Declaration, the British mandate to return Israel back the the Jews. It’s 50 years since the war which brought Jerusalem back to the Jews. 50 is significant to God: it’s the Jubilee, when ownership is returned back and debts are lifted.

Personally, I believe something amazing and threatening is about to happen this autumn.

That the most powerful leader in the world is allied with the most powerful leader supernaturally, I find comforting, encouraging and very exciting.

Will President Trump meet again with PM B Netanyahu later this month?

I’m counting the days, marking each day of September as though it is significant, and waiting, waiting for the Feast of Tabernacles and all the LORD may surely do. I don’t know what exactly is going to happen, but it seems to me it will be profound. I can hardly wait, but while I do, I pray, I yearn and I look deeply within to make sure I have nothing against a neighbour.

Categories
Examining Biblical Scripture

Are you following Jesus?

A Meaty Word

God does not change. His Word does not change. But God moves. Are we following?

In the desert 4000 years ago, God gave the Hebrews a sign to follow. Today, like the pillar of light at night, and the pillar of smoke by day, we need to follow God, undeterred by fear, distraction, assumption or the fulfilment of our worldly interests.

When Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt and across the Red Sea, they told him to go to the mountain and talk to God. They didn’t want to speak to Him directly.

When Samuel was prophet to the Hebrews, they told him they wanted a King. They didn’t want to follow God’s priests and prophets, but wanted to be like other nations.

Just as the Hebrews needed fresh manna every day while they were in the desert, in order to survive, so we need fresh manna daily to survive spiritually. Are you receiving your manna every day, or are you living on the stale bread that was yesterday’s revelation?

We are a chosen priesthood. We are salt and light. But salt that has lost its savour is not good for anything.

This is not a message for Unbelievers, although anyone seeking to discover who the Creator is — whom we call our heavenly father — and how Jesus, His son, made intimacy with the Father possible and forgiveness attainable, is welcome to read and is invited to receive God’s Spirit through faith in Jesus. But this message primarily is for those of us who proclaim Jesus as Lord and Saviour. I’m asking: are you truly following him daily, surrendered to the Father’s will, allowing the Son to point to the Father and lead you in Truth, Rightness with God, and total surrender to His Spirit?

When Moses led the people to the Promised Land, they did not go in. For forty years they were held back because of lack of faith. I don’t want to be held back. I don’t want to miss God’s blessing because I think I know best what His Word means and what His ways are. I don’t want to assume my understanding of His Word, the Bible, is as infinite as is my God. I don’t want to be afraid of the New Wine Skin and stick to the old, safe understanding of my faith. What about you?

Throughout church history, when a Godly man made a discovery in the Word, he preached his new revelation and was lamb-basted for it. Once it was accepted as truly divine revelation, a denomination was formed. People clung onto the new leader and felt assured they had The Truth. But a new wall surrounded this new clan, who — like others before them — listened to their leader and allowed the leader to fellowship with God on their behalf. But God wants us each to fellowship with Him. It’s great and important to seek new revelation; it’s important to mentor and to be mentored by a spiritual head. But actually, any revelation of A Truth from the LORD comes to express one aspect or another that He wishes people to know at a given time. He does not reveal the whole truth. In fact, even Jesus did not know when his time would be to return. Even Jesus did not know all of the Father’s heart and will.

As it was with John Knox in Scotland, as it was with the Baptists late in the 1800’s, so it is even now amongst Evangelicals and Charismatics: God keeps revealing, keeps doing a new thing, but only a remnant follow. And the remnant are mistrusted by the rest. Each time God carries only a remnant into new understanding of the Truth and they battle against the reviling of the larger body of Believers. I pray no Believer will miss out on Jesus’ return, but am seriously concerned many will, because of this attitude that what is New is not to be trusted.

Following Jesus

What an arrogant title I’ve chosen for this message. Who am I to question who is following Jesus? But this message is important to anyone who subscribes to the idea that, to be a Christian, we are to follow the Lord Jesus: follow his example, take his word seriously, and love the LORD our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and (then*) love our neighbour as ourself. (Matthew 22:37)

What I’m concerned about is that not only has humanity fallen down since the beginning of time, in its following of the Creator of the universe, but it is still falling down, taking for granted the cross, but most of us who are steadfastly walking are walking our own walk. Father God sent his son, a loving person of great wisdom and sacrifice, so that we could best see the Father through the eyes of the Son, and discover for ourselves who God is. Yet even those who are dedicated, committed, born again, fall. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) but what does that verse go on to say, “for those who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Is the Holy Spirit active in your life? He is totally accessible, completely available, and wholly dedicated to enabling you to live a life of surrender. Are you willing to live that life? He is refreshing and will quench your thirst for God. Are you thirsty for God? I am.

Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). And works is not only feeding the poor, preaching the gospel, taking care of prisoners. Works includes our walk with the Lord. We are called and committed followers.

We all fall. But when we fall are we repentant? The core of our faith is at stake as we consider this question. Do we take for granted our walk with God, our salvation, our place in His presence in Heaven? Or to we value Him and our relationship with Him above everything else? Do we walk a surrendered life or is our life, after our surrender, our own?

This is the question for today: Are we living a truly surrendered life?

As time is short, and I believe Jesus is returning very soon, I am urging every reader to:

  1. get into his Bible, use a search engine such s Bible Gateway to look up scriptures, find what the Word says about the Holy Spirit, and learn
  2. study under a pastoral leader by all means, but don’t take for granted his understanding of the Word, but dig into it yourself, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you into God’s truth for today
  3. pray for God’s divine revelation to come to you, and for His Holy Spirit to fill you
  4. ask for protection against false teaching, wrong understanding, and for discernment of Truth
  5. trust God hears and answers your prayers

We who have become born again have made a commitment to follow Jesus. He has made a way for us to draw close, through intimacy with the Holy Spirit who hovered over the earth at creation and is the power and presence of God who dwells within us now. He convicts us of Truth… and we need to be listening.

This word is a bit tougher than what I usually write. But the imperative is clear: we need to be surrendered, not taking for granted our relationship and salvation, but striving to draw closer to Father God every step of our way. Jesus points us in the right direction. Let’s continue to run our race to completion. Jesus is coming soon… we do not know the day or the hour… but like the virgins with their lamps, we need to have ours full of the oil of the Holy Spirit, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom who is Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)

In coming weeks, I’ll be downloading some revelation I’ve had over the last several months. I hope you’ll test it rather than dismiss it. I hope you’ll share your discoveries with others. I hope it will make you draw closer to God as He draws closer to you.

 

*brackets are my own for I have inserted “then” because I believe to love our neighbour first is not of the Lord, but is Humanism and human effort rather than an act of surrender to God.

Categories
Politics and Society today

Christian Persecution in the Last Days

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

(2 Timothy 3:12)

I recently viewed the movie The Promise, an historical romance based on the facts surrounding the Armenian Genocide in Turkey during the First World War.

Armenian Genocide

During the years 1915 to 1918, Armenians were systematically removed from the Muslim majority society in the Ottoman Empire; they were put into camps or killed, simply because of their cultural and racial heritage. They were Christians.

Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political or cultural group (Miriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Miriam-Webster Incorporated, Springfield, Mass USA, 2008), such as was undertaken in Nazi Germany against the Jews and homosexuals during WWII, and in Turkey against the Armenian Christians, after they allied with the Germans in WWI.

Until I met and became friends with an Armenian a year or two ago, I had never heard of the Armenian genocide. I hadn’t realised that in the early 20th century Christians had faced persecution on a large — national and international — level. Now, as I look at the present day, such as when ISIS terrorists beheaded men at the waterside, for example, I realise persecution of Christians has been on the rise for some time. This is further evidence that we are in the Last Days before Jesus’ return (see 2 Timothy 3).

Last Days are Perilous Times

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3: 1-4) Does this also not describe the times we are in?

The persecution does not always begin with expulsion and death. Whether you are a baker in Belfast, N Ireland or in Oregon in America, you can be persecuted for your faith.

And those who speak on behalf of Christians or their values can also experience persecution. Never has a United States president had such hate thrust upon him, until President Trump. His inauguration speech called for unity and hope, citing Psalm 133 and that the unity of brethren pull together. He asked the citizens of America to stand in solidarity with one another, regardless of colour or economic situation. When a child of poverty, black, white or brown skin goes to bed at night in America, he looks up at the same sky as a child in wealth, black, white or brown skin, he said.

Attack on Trump

But his detractors inspired and continue to insight protest. Then, people raged and carried signs saying, “Not My President”. To my mind their behaviour was reminiscent of the brownshirts’ uprising in fascist Nazi Germany. And yet, they protest, accusing Trump of such sympathies.

Today, while Donald J Trump does himself no favours with his confrontational style and tweets, giving loads of ammunition to his enemies to use against him, he nevertheless has been vilified on a scale never before seen by a US president.

Why is this happening?

I believe at the heart of it is satan, working his way through the minds of those who dislike Trump, using them to attack so he can’t get on with government.

Why would satan take an interest?

Because Jesus is elevated by those who surround the president and Judeo-Christian values are at the heart of his policies.

There is persecution, there is a war going on. We are not to fear. We need to be aware and to be ready.

With persecution comes hope. Jesus will come “in the night”, and he will call us to himself.

We must be sure we have our lamps when he comes, and that they are fully prepped with the oil of the Holy Spirit. We must be dressed as the bride, ready for his call.

As we witness the signs: the deterioration of society and the persecution of Christians to name only two, we must see that the End is near. Jesus will come and he’ll call us to him. We need not to fear but to be ready.

Categories
Examining Biblical Scripture

Biblical Prophecy and the Fulfilment of Matthew 24

What does the fulfilment of Biblical Prophecy mean for the Watchman

I study Matthew 24 vigorously these days: wars and rumours of wars, earthquakes and pestilence; woe if the days were not shortened… but they will be shortened.

“And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows…” (vs 6-8)

“…And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” (vs 22)

So, does shortened days mean fewer daylight hours, or fewer days before the end and Jesus’ return, or something else entirely?

On the one hand we read, “And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”” (vs 3-4) This makes me think Jesus is not coming any time soon. Literally, there have not been many who have claimed to be the Messiah, so the end of our world as we know could still be a long way off.

On the other hand, there are the undeniable disturbances across our societies, which collectively we label Signs of the End Times.

When should we expect Jesus’ return?

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (vs 36)

End Signs:

There is an escalation of war. Recently the internet announced only 11 nations worldwide which are not locked in a state of aggression or war. (Global Peace Index)

There is an increase in disease and famine. We see cancer is on the rise and communicable diseases are spiralling in number and frequency. It seems that no sooner is one epidemic taken under control before another arises.

Moral law is on a slide into oblivion. “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (vs 12) We seem unable even to speak the biological truth of the difference between boys and girls without being attacked for being homophobic.

As for me, as a Watchman, what do I do with the awareness of what it says in Matthew 24 and the signs which seem to be marking the end of our world as we know it?

I study, I pray, and I share what I detect with those who have ears to hear and eyes to see. No one knows the time the Messiah will come again, to bring judgement on the earth.

Be Prepared:

Those who know Jesus are called to be ready.

Are you ready with your lamp full of oil for the bridegroom’s arrival? (Matthew 25) In other words, are you ready to leave this life behind? Are you full of God’s anointing and blessing, walking in the New Man the best that your faith enables? Are you living the Love of God, ready to share the secret of your strength with those who ask?

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15)

Are you focused?

What if the internet is simply a ploy of the enemy to keep us busy, productive, in the flesh of the Old Man?

Do you know your value, your purpose and your calling in Jesus?

Are you obeying the law of God, namely to love Him and love your neighbour?

Are you living a life of righteousness, of being right with God and His principles?

What matters is not the success of your ministry or business. What matters is not how many connections you have on social media. What matters is not your productivity.

What matters is being surrendered, ready, and willing to follow Jesus, and to share your passion and commitment when asked to do so.

And if we are in End Times, then we all need to be ready, now.

Hebrew roots:

Most reading this post will be Gentile. But our roots are Jesus’ roots, and his roots are Jewish. He was the Hebrew of Hebrews. After 2000 years of sweeping this truth aside, the Jewish people are discovering the Messiah, and the body of Believers is recognising God’s passion for His ways as outlined in the Torah (OT).

As we seek to fulfil God’s purposes, I believe we need to rediscover the love He has for His festivals, His feasts, and His calendar. This is not legalism but love for the Father which we can convey through a celebration of His culture.

I have learned recently that there is a Gospel of Matthew in the original Hebrew available for study (one of several copies is in Caesarea). I’d like to study it. Most Bible New Testaments are derived from a Greek translation. But surely some impact has been lost through translating from Hebrew into Greek, and then into our native language. I would like to look at a translation direct from the Hebrew, to compare and contrast the Message. That hunger is not a fascination with languages but a passion for God, to know Him and to understand His intent.

And what of His Sabbath? Is the seventh day Saturday? Or is the Lord’s Day – what we call Sunday – the day to hold as the day of rest? We are not under law but under grace. And yet, I have a great desire to honour my God in all fullness, not because I have to but because I want to.

Christian Persecution:

As we attempt to gauge how close we might be to Jesus’ return, I look at how the world looks at the Christian. Around the world, people of the Christian Faith are in conflict with those of other faiths or no faith.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” (vs 9)

In times passed Christianity spear-headed humanitarian projects and expanded worldwide. Now, Christians in the USA and the UK face mocking, job loss, and imprisonment because they stand for their faith in Jesus as the only way to God. Middle Eastern Christians are losing their heads for their faith. In the Far East, Christians are in hiding, unable to worship freely in China and elsewhere.

Conclusion:

The reality is we do not know when the End will be. Nor are we meant to. We are meant to be ready though, to share the reason for our hope and to receive the bridegroom when he comes.

I believe we are saved by God’s grace and it is not works that save us but Faith, as found in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

And yet, I also believe we are fully responsible for our faith and the outworking of it, as James says in Chapter 2:20 “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”

Those who believe will find their peace, fulfilment and security in walking out their faith at the level of personal revelation they have.

As for me, I have received the revelation that it is possible to surrender and walk in the New Man (see Pursuit of Holiness), leaving behind the angst and wilfulness of the Old Man. That is my aim. Without that, I won’t be truly satisfied or free. Because of God’s incredible revelation, I find no satisfaction in anything less.

A Blessing:

In your walk, may you fulfil all grace, peace and joy that the Father God has for you, and may you be ready for His call in His perfect time.

Categories
Politics and Society today

Church Age: The End or Not?

Have we reached the End of the Church Age?

I’ve been observing the in/activity in the church for some years.

If God wants people to follow church, they will. But the decline in traditional church has been steady, even though there has been an increase in the number of new believers for decades.

What’s going on?

It is the end of the Church Age, I believe. The Age where Christendom dominates the setting of universal values has ended. We see this across Western culture. That which is abhorrent to God as evidenced in scripture has become the celebrated norm in many societies. Wrong has become right and right certainly has been labelled as wrong. Where Abortion on demand and LGTB rights have been declared as key to freedom, those with opposing values are labeled intolerant. The division, as demonstrated perhaps most clearly in US politics, has become so wide that there have been clashes, protests and even violence between the two sides.

A dear Messianic acquaintance said to me recently that the Church Age finished when Jerusalem was liberated from Gentile control in 1967. That could concur with the demise of values that began in the ’60’s and is ongoing. The morality of Judeo-Christian values has been in decline since the Sixties and in Britain and the US there is downright hostility toward anything that smacks of Biblical truth.

I believe the power and authority of the Church in our society has gone. Moving forward, God knew this time would come, and I don’t believe God’s strategy is to regain its influence, but rather to allow his God-ordained transformation to occur, so that the principles of God can again protect the people.

Do we ignore what is going on in our world and allow the decline? Certainly not. But I believe we must allow God to move differently from how He moved through the established church in the past.

What we need to do is to turn from our traditional concept of the practices of Christianity that are based on Constantine Christianity – aka Roman Catholicism and the spill over into Protestantism – and return to the 1st Century church that embraced its Judeo roots. Jesus was Jewish; as he was steeped in the culture God favoured, so must we learn to celebrate the festivals – not as Law but because it is what delights the LORD.

The Church Age has ended, with our false dates and festivals. We need to return to the Sabbath and the Festivals ordained by God. That’s what I think will bring us in to God’s blessing and freedom, and what will draw those whom He is calling to take notice.

Categories
Politics and Society today

Watchman on Alert: new blog focus starting today…

Introducing Words and Voices: for a more abundant life

“WATCHMAN ON ALERT”

Introducing Sarah Tun Words and Voices: for a more abundant life

Jesus is the foundation stone for all Believers. Without a foundation, the structure falls. Given the foundation, a structure is also necessary for advancement. The body needs a skeleton as a structure to hold all things in place. With that in mind, Larus Press is now under a new structure so that the ministry for “Building the Kingdom one reader at a time” can flourish.

I believe the LORD has led me to create a new structure for all things relating to this ministry to build up you who are already on the spiritual battleground and are seeking to be prepared for God’s Call moment by moment and day by day.

Sarah Tun Words and Voices is now the over-arching business and Larus Press is specifically the imprint for the books. Watchman on Alert is now the name of the Blog. The Soaring Post newsletter continues, drawing from Watchman on Alert posts just as they were previously LarusBlog posts. Added to that are my personal Reflections posted on the blog under An Examined Life continues, so that my journey is incorporated into the ministry.

I have a desire to spark God-given discernment in other Believers.

As I develop Insights, glancing through windows into God’s heart and piecing together the puzzle of our time, there is a prophetic element, a discerning from what I see. All things MUST BE TESTED by the Word of God and your own sense of conviction with the Holy Spirit. But I do feel it is the time and platform to articulate the questions and insights I discern through the events around us in these days and my journey through them.

To this I pray…

Dear Lord, As we stand on this precipice, and the world’s Towers of Babel unravel, LORD, we ask for your wisdom, strength and compassion on our brothers and sisters and for those who do not yet know you. You have promised many things in your Word, both difficult and beautiful. May we receive all you have as opportunities to grow and to offer a more abundant life to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

January, 2017

Categories
Reflections and Poetry

How to live: As though “Tomorrow is another day” vs “It’s now or never”

During December 2016 I had a prompt from deep within me: “Focus in 2017 because if you don’t do it now you won’t do it ever.”

So, what drives me is this sense of urgency to do all I’ve been called to do, now. To give all to God:

  1. following His lead obediently and passionately, as I surrender to the New Man within me, who is free from angst, self-will, frustration and impatience (which otherwise so often leads me into a state of emotional distraction that prevents me from living the joyful life Father has for me).2.
  2. publishing the documents – books and blogs – which have been on the shelf or in my heart and need to see the light of day, so that others can gain from the insights our Creator has given to me.
  3. supporting my family as wife and mother, so that my husband and son can be all they have been created to be, and express their love for Father in their unique and special ways.

I think storms lie ahead. In fact, we are in the storm even now, perhaps even in the eye of the storm.

Matthew 24 describes the latter days, the End Times before Jesus will return in glory, to judge the earth and to receive his Bride, also known as the Church of Believers….

So many of the earthquakes, rumours of wars, persecutions…. are in full swing already.

How do I cope? I focus on His call, and the responsibilities He’s given me to fulfil, now.

As I dig into God, I will overcome the trials and see His purposes fulfilled in my life.

Hebrews 6:19 reads, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil.”

And there’s an old song based on this scripture:

First of five verses:

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,

When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?

When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,

Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

Refrain:

We have an anchor that keeps the soul

Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,

Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.

I feel as though I’m on a stream train. At the start of 2017 it left the station, and I’m riding, not driving but nevertheless moving forward, gaining momentum. I’m moving from Calling into Ministry, gaining clarity, gaining speed, gaining momentum.

The fulfilment of God’s promises are imminent. He is intentional, and I join Him, carrying this sense that what I do now is imperative to His purposes.

This is the End of the Age.

Jesus will return.

There is already an almighty battle in the heavens which is manifesting on the earth.

Is the Battle of Armageddon imminent? Who knows when such things will come to pass?

My Call has been and is to inspire, encourage, equip, and empower Believers. Like Peter, who ministered to the Jews and who was convicted of His call to righteousness, my first call is to reach to those already following Jesus, and to compel them to complete their course, to fulfil their Call.

Never have I felt so compelled to be ordered, focused, alert, ready… never have I felt the promises of God so close to fulfilment. And so I choose to live as though “It’s now or never” because I think it is! And I encourage each of you to do the same.

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,

When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?

When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,

Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul

Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,

Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.

Categories
Examining Biblical Scripture

What Are Your Scriptures

bible-verse-joshua-1-9Everyone who walks with Jesus has Biblical scriptures that speak to them personally, more deeply than most. For example, one of mine is, “The Joy of the Lord is (my) strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

This scripture is one that goes deep into my spirit when I meditate on it, and allow it to transform my perspective and my choices, in fact basically allowing it to lead me.

We all have scriptures that “jump” out at us. Those, when focused upon, can deepen our walk and lead us into new places (spiritually and in our character) as we follow our Lord Jesus.

What are your scriptures? What pieces have you felt drawn to memorise? Or what texts have others given you as you met in Bible study or prayer?

It is important to fellowship with others for many reasons. We are commanded to do so. One of the many blessings is that others can speak into our lives with Bible verses that help us in difficult times. When we learn to stand on those scriptures, they speak, and lead us into a deeper revelation of our relationship and our Call from GOD.

Another of mine is from Isaiah 61:1-3.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Jesus read this in the temple and sat in the empty chair, and stated he is the fulfilment of God’s Word (Luke 4:21)

I am not saying through claiming that scripture as personal to me that I am fulfilling God’s prophecy like Jesus did. But by taking personal ownership of that text however, I am aware that part of my Calling is to do as specified in Isaiah 61:1-3 and I have the authority to do so.

Today, I proclaim: “This is the acceptable year of the LORD.” I’m not even sure what that means. But with various world situations bringing international tension, namely: the inevitable Brexit of the UK from the EU; the United States’ federal election bringing the strangest situation in memorable American history (that being that two extremely unpopular leaders are the candidates vying for the presidency); UNESCO declaring Jerusalem is only a heritage site for the Muslims; the utter political and civil disaster in Syria which has prompted world wide despair over refugees of war and economics, the world is in a state of controlled chaos and is on the brink of exploding.

What will God do in this earthly environment? I don’t know. But according to Matthew 25, woe to many and let’s ask for the days to be short.

When we have a Call of GOD on our lives, we need to be sure we live it out. My Call is to write to others and to encourage them.

Today I’m saying two things, one instruction for you personally and one declaration which is borne out of scripture.

For you, I’m saying: seek out, record and meditate on your personal scriptures.

Of Scripture I’m saying: This is the acceptable year of the LORD; the day of vengeance is at hand. (Isaiah 61:2)

Every blessing as you meditate on God’s Word, grow in His likeness and follow His plans and purposes for your life.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.